Just back from Crappy Tire where I'd stopped to get into the Christmas mood, and noticed many BLACK decorations, stars, ornaments, etc and a black feather tree. Also a rather lemony yellow, and a very lime green.

But, they did have lots of traditional colours, lots of Santa's as well. The store has dedicated an awful lot of room to outdoor lighting too...and those blow up vinyl figures.

Perhaps Shikea, you have a lovely expensive shop in town that sells the blown glass ornaments...the really good ones. I love these, myself.

And Joy...that's very good news to hear, from your doctor...I am so glad for you!

Kelly, I too have the old old family nativity set...the lamb went away, and was replaced by a plastic camel, the roof caved in or was stepped on and was mended by a child...the Holy Family is all in good shape considering it was not the most expensive of sets. Bought the girls good good sets years and years ago, and made cloth ones for one set of grandkids.

I too find the hoopla nauseating....which why I don't live in the big city!!!

Although there is still hoopla, there are very few line-ups, friendly service and extended hours for when you realize you needed a bit more for one kid....Now that is why I leave some of the hoopla in...the kids. Because it is exciting...the possibilities the hope. Face it, for a child, the big excitement is gift exchange. (okay mostly what they got). But unless you've got spoiled brats who expect only the biggest and best, they are happy. because the excitement of something new is always there.

For some kids it is the only time of the year they'll get something brand new.

But then there is what you teach your kids about Christmas too. Some kids are taken to church. Unfortunately as a lapsed Catholic my kids don't make it (although there is a United Church in our Hamlet that they have gone to as it is their father's religion). But I still try to use that nativity scene to help them to understand the real meaning of Christmas.

I read somewhere once that the use of Xmas originated with Christian monks, who used the Greek letter 'chi', which looks like an 'X', as an abbreviation. So Christ isn't as completely out of it as one might think, particularly if you're a bad speller.Dora

Did I start this thing about xmas. I only mentioned that for me it was easier to type seeing that I have a bit of trouble as some of yu are aware. I didnt want to start anything. I too have a nativity scene given to me by my mom. Jazz